Math & Vanity . . .All Is Vanity!

I was never very good at math. I blessed the day I didn't have to take Calculus in high school. Or college. Or Graduate School. It just seems silly that anyone needs to know the square root integer of any speed of light thing-y . . .I have no idea what I'm talking about. That's probably not even Calculus.

But all numerical hope has not been lost on me. My mother made me stay back in subtraction in third grade because I just wasn't getting it. And boy, am I glad she did. Here's a delightful equation:

240lbs - 161lbs = 79lbs

I've lost 79lbs since my son was born, after having gained just 50.

That's an approximate 30 lb deficit . . .in my healthy favor!

Now, wouldja just look at me? Goin' on with my big bad sum-difference self?

An honorary mathematical degree (scrawled on construction paper and crayon) will very willingly be accepted by me from . . .anyone.

Liquid Gold Elixir

This is just about the most dee-lish-ee-ous dressing/marinade/dipping sauce I've ever stumbled upon.  

And by stumbled upon, I mean read in one of my hippie books.

Which means it's healthy.  And Detoxifying! 

Detox! Detox!

 Great results and great taste.  (Any of you drinking the Kool--, um, Elixir, yet?)

Well, c'mon! Look at the ingredients.

 SO. EASY!

Promise.

I now give you . . . Liquid Gold Elixir! 

 Dun, Dun, Dun!

We've got our organic lemon juice (1cup)

Soy sauce (low sodium-Preferably Nama Shoyu soy sauce) (3 TBS), 

Olive oil (3/4 cup)

Fresh ginger (3 TBS) and garlic (3 cloves).  

Oh, and honey or agave~not pictured (1-2 TBS)!

That's it!  

Blend up all those ingredients. 

You're done. 

Then, if you have one of those fancy Pampered Chef dressing containers, go ahead and put it in there.  That way, when the oil and lemon juice separate, you can whisk it back together in a jiffy!

If you don't, who cares?  Put it in a tupperware or something.  

It keeps for a week.  

It is so, so good. I've even sipped some by itself. LOVE that fresh ginger!

Enjoy it on salads! 

And you can even put it on chicken and fish!  

(Sorry. This post has lots of exclamation points.)

Yum!

Myths about Protein!

Having a diet high in protein is overrated. A lot of modern/fad diets (like Atkins) actually call for a much higher protein intake which is more than double the daily recommended value. According to the Physicians Committee for Modern Medicine, consuming so much protein (especially from meat), creates many health risks such as osteoporosis, kidney disease, some cancers, and stones in the urinary tract. This includes dairy because it is animal based. It is also a myth that athletes need way more protein than an average person when they really only need slightly more.

My husband, Matt, meets with a nutritionist regularly. She actually told him to cut back on his protein consumption to have better results in weight loss. And she was right. Once he cut back on protein, he was able to trim down. Matt is also an athlete who ran a half marathon and works out on a daily basis. (Twice a day most days.)

Meat is a great source of protein, but can also be a breeding ground for disease and other medical ailments. I am not here to convert people to become vegetarian or vegan, because I still have chicken and fish. But that's no reason not to have the information. There is danger of consuming too many animal based products. According to CBS news, people who eat more red meat and processed meat run a much higher risk of heart disease and cancer. These are issues running rampant in our American society. Even when researching healthy balanced diets, it is recommended to reduce meat consumption because our bodies do not have the ability to process the meat quickly enough and can even rot inside the intestines. This is how calcium deposits can build and eventually become urinary tract stones.

We've all heard how meats purchased from local grocery stores are hormone injected animals that are raised in small feedlots before being slaughtered. The hormones are used to create unnatural growth. This is what is being put in the average American's body. By doing this it reduces the cost of production, allowing meat to be more affordable to the consumer. This needs to be considered when purchasing other animal products, too, such as eggs, yogurt, and cheese...all dairy, really. I personally like Ted Nugent's philosophy when it comes to eating meat. He kills his own stock from the wild so it really is all "natural" and not processed from the store. If I lived in the woods and owned a gun, I would do the same, but I have to make due with what I have. Of course consumers can buy all natural, free range meat and eggs from butcher shops, health food shops, and farms, but expect to pay more. When we look back over the years, before food was processed, meat was way too expensive and only eaten on special occasions.

So how much protein should we have and where else can we get it? Livestrong.com recommends that we take .4% of our body weight and multiply that by our body weight. So someone that weighs 140lbs should only have 61.6g of protein a day. Plant-based foods are a wonderful source of protein such as veggies, legumes (beans, lentils, and peas), fruits, and nuts. You

read correctly...fruits and veggies have protein in them. Do not fret about the fat in nuts! The fat from nuts is actually healthy if eaten in moderation. There are good fats and bad fats. Nuts have the good fats that are necessary to cushion bones and insulate the body. The bad fats are any type of saturated fat (from animal products). There are many wonderful recipes that have beans and lentils. I love my lentil soup, if I say so myself and I will post my recipe in the near future. Beans are also more cost effective than meat. Eating a diet high in plant-based foods, rather than lots of meat is healthier and contains enough protein essential to our body.

A Consumer (Me) Reports

Have you written us off as crazy, quack-job moms yet? (C'mon, I would if this were me two years ago.)  Some of you might be thinking it's impossible to carry on as we do when you're on a budget. And have a family. And an appetite. And...insert blank.

Hopefully by now we've explained how slow a process this has been for us. Not only enjoying a more plant based diet, but learning how to maximize purchasing live plant-based food (as in, where to get them CHEAP) is our aim.

So what does that look like?

First, for us, this means forgoing the "organic"quality of food for now (To be explained later). Also, starting up our own gardens, and finally, buying only what we need for the week.

Much thanks to my in-laws for sending me a Consumer Reports subscription, since I just received this month's in the mail today. Coincidentally, the cover article talks about "Paying too much" for food. Here's a list of 11 grocers who are ranked as the most affordable.

1. Trader Joe's
2. Fareway Stores
3. Costco
4. Market Basket
5. Stater Bros.
6. WinCo Foods
7. Aldi
8. ShopRite
9. Sam's Club
10. BJ's Wholesale Club
11. Walmart Supercenter

I hope at least one of those are in your areas.

I frequent Aldi's and PriceRite (not listed) for their produce.  They have an excellent selection, and I make a point not to spend over $100/week.  In fact, I believe there was one week I spent under $70.  For a family of three, that's not too shabby.

It should be no surprise that Whole Foods ranked on the very expensive side.  And if money were no object--and if Whole Foods were around here--I'd go.

But back to our other strategies: I'm hoping our garden has a good yield this year as we're planting more than the last: kale, swiss chard, lettuce, cilantro, parsley, basil, beets, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, butternut and spaghetti squash, peas, carrots, and cucumbers.  This will hopefully off set the GMO (genetically modified organisms) that we consume through the non-organic produce.

But let's face it. If you're anything like how I used to be, implementing significantly more fruits and vegetables into the diet is going to be a good thing, whether they're organic or not. A swathe of greasy french fries versus a genetically modified apple is a no brainer. Don't get me wrong, getting into the nitty gritty (especially on a cellular level) about what you're consuming and how it affects the body is important, but unless someone has another suggestion within the budget that we're operating from, we're making due. And it seems to be working well health-wise.

I'd love to hear our readers' insights about Agricultural Co-Op's ...what the cost/benefit ratios are, the marked differences are on how it feels eating more organically, etc. We have a couple Co-Ops in our area, but I just can't justify the cost at this stage. Maybe you can convert me!

Blessed Holy Week!

The eyes of all look to you, o Lord

And you give them their food at the proper time.

You open your hand, 

and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 

Psalm 145: 15-16

Health Investments

Blessed Palm Sunday!

Today I'd like to share the following items/food I consider health investments.

Pictured below from left to right:

1. Blender (Ninja--not my favorite, but it was a gift, so I'm stuck with it until I can get a Vita-mix or whatever Montel Williams' blender is called. Sorry, mom.) This thing is essential for smoothies and soups, which I have daily.  I've tried to do dessert blends, but the Ninja isn't the best with completely liquifying and emulsifying food, so yeah. But before the Ninja, I had an Oster blender, and it worked great-it was just too small for the amounts of food we need blended.  

2. Food Processor This is where the magic happens: Appetizers, desserts, raw garden burgers, you name it, the processor probably does it. Okay, it didn't get me the winning lottery ticket, but you know,  minus that, it does it all.   

3. Fruit/Veggie Spiralizer. So far I've used it on squash, cucumber and sweet potatoes. They look so pretty! Definitely gives that gourmet presentation.  Those recipes will be up sooner or later. I would say this is an optional item if you're just getting started.  

Up Next:

Our Superfoods!

Right to left (switching it up on ya):

Spirulina

Chlorella

Astaxanthin

I HIGHLY recommend reading this free ebook about Spirulina and Chlorella. It's 39 pages, but they're small pages. Give it a whirl, I think you'll be amazed.  

And this is an article about astaxanthin. 

 Spirulina and chlorella are micro green algae. Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant extracted from krill and algae. 

 I can't tell you all enough how important these foods have been for our diet. My energy has skyrocketed, my skin has never looked clearer. I can exercise more efficiently and run so much faster for longer (sure, being lighter probably helps with that, too) In many ways, I feel like I've regained my high school and college fitness back. 

I advise you to do your own research on brands, but through that ebook, the author will give you a great head start, balancing quality and budget. That is why I've chosen the spirulina and chlorella brands that I have.  

As far as astaxanthin goes, I've been doing some preliminary research on it (all with great reviews). And instead of ordering it online (like I do with my chlorella), I found it at my local health food store. I've used NOW's brand and now Bioastin's brand. I can't tell a major difference between the two, meaning, they both work great, give me tons more oxygen (it literally feels like my skin is "breathing," like I have icy hot on it throughout the day) when paired with the other two micro green algae.  

Hawiian Pacifica Spirulina (16oz), Kyoto Chlorella (1500 tabs),
Bioastin Astaxanthin (120 softgels)
They all last approx 2-3 months for Adam and I.
Knox has Spirulina (in the smoothies) and a tab or two of chlorella on occasion. 

Finally, my food dehydrator.

This is an investment I opted for after many months of smoothies.  

For those who don't know, food dehydrators allow enzymes in raw food to remain in tact (as long as the heat does not exceed 118 degrees Fahrenheit.)  

Cookies, fruit roll ups, dried fruit, chips and endless possibilities (jerky of every kind) can be made on this. 

My tip?

 If you don't have $300 to put toward a FD, AND you are still in dietary transition, I recommend using your oven for various raw/vegan recipes, and just putting it on very low heat.

  

Knox loves the fruit roll-ups.

I love the cookies, corn chips and dried fruit I've made on this.

Heck, I love it all. 

In future posts I'll be sharing other food staples that I use in various recipes.

Okay, I think that's it-- hope you've enjoyed the tour. We're off to church. 

Have a great day!

*While I certainly recommend asking your medical doctor before implementing Spirulina, chlorella and astaxanthin into your diet, it is worth noting that some doctors are not all up to speed on the benefits of the algae. Presenting several articles to them may help them understand that spirulina and chlorella (those two, especially) are not supplements, herbs, synthetic vitamins or minerals. They are foods that contain in-tact synergistic vitamins and minerals that are of great benefit to people's health. As with anything, we recommend starting slow, as various detoxifying reactions occur. We've learned through personal experience that the body needs time to adjust to all the changes. But it sure feels good once it does! 

"You're In Perfect Health."

How many doctors say that to us these days? Has anyone walked out of an appointment without a prescription or referral since they were, I dunno, a fetus? It seems an eye twitch or sniffle has our MD's referring us off to every specialist known to mankind and prescribing a ton of drugs so as to avoid any potential legal infraction.

However, that's what my husband's doctor told him a couple months ago,"Your in perfect health, Adam," after a routine physical.

Quite the surprising diagnosis, since, just a year and half ago, the doctor was singing a more durge-y tune. In 2010, Adam's blood tests came back not so good. His cholesterol was up around 300. Also,  he was suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (Sorry, honey), and headaches. Further, he had a series of dark moles that emerged around the sides of his face. I wish I had a close up picture to show--maybe friends and family can attest. But it was all sort of scary then.

What's crazy is that we exercised pretty regularly at that time. And I thought we were eating well. So what if the veggies we ate were cooked, wilted, marinated and almost mush, but heck, that counted, right? Well, if we're going based on medical blood tests, I'd think not.

Anyway, I kid you not, since we've been eating more raw, all of Adam's ailments have mostly disappeared.  His cholesterol and triglycerides came back GREAT. His IBS and headaches are no more. And the moles? Would you believe me if I told you that even those shrunk and have mostly disappeared? Well they have! And Adam isn't even as disciplined as me. He's also lost about twenty pounds . . .with little effort and even less exercise from before.

Back to Adam's routine appointment. After all the results were confirmed, it was kind of shocking to hear the doctor ask Adam what he was doing to maintain his health . . .as in, the doctor was interested.

"Tell me more about these smoothies and this superfood chlorella that you're taking...Sounds interesting...I'm going to have to look into it."

Yeah. Pretty awesome.

And if you're looking for more reasons to be amazed, check this video out, Reversing the Irreversible, of about 40 people attesting to their own health transformations through a mostly raw diet.

It's sure nice to hear the doctor confirm everything that we've been feeling as of late--great, if not perfect (doctor's words, not ours!) health.

On Your mark, Get Set...CRAWL!

Countless times, I would start a diet or workout plan, to fail just after two months. It was typical for me to get this sudden urge to get in shape and be healthy. The next day I'd be cutting carbs and working out to P90X. I would keep up with this dramatic lifestyle change for about a month, maybe even two. But as usual, something would come up, like Christmas, a get together, or if I may...PMS, and it would set me off course. All at once, I would give up, and all the weight would come back. Sometimes gaining more than what I had started with.

We all know food addictions are not unlike alcohol and drug addictions because our bodies crave the instant gratification that it gives-sugar and sodium being the main culprits. Although I admitted I had a problem, I was not about to check into a rehab or get lucky enough to be a contestant on The Biggest Loser. Instead, last May I ran my first 5k since High school. I signed up two months in advance, so I would have time to prepare. I used the "Couch to 5K Program" that was available for free online and was a free download application for my Android phone. I totally recommend this program to people who have not run in a long time. After my first race I signed up for my second one just two months later. Having incentives allowed me to stay focused. The weight was coming off gradually . . . but I still had not done much to change my diet yet.

As the weather got colder and school started back up again, time was limited for workouts, and I decided it was time to focus more on my diet. My husband suggested counting calories and that is when the fat started to melt off. I was not even working out as much (only 2 times a week on average), but because I was still staying active and keeping my calories to 1500 per day, the weight started to drop. Some people might think that is low, but I was eating throughout the day, like before, but replacing it with fruits and veggies. This is nutrient dense. By the New Year I was over 30lbs lighter.

It was not until I went to visit Melissa in Rochester this past New Year’s and for her son, Knox’s first Birthday (My Godson!), that she introduced me to the world of juicing and raw foods. She mentioned a great documentary Forks over Knives (This can be found on Netflix for free if you do the streaming). Watching this video changed my whole concept of food and diet/disease correlations. Very quickly my focus became health and wellness and my weight loss became secondary. This documentary opened my eyes, even scared me a little. I was no longer certain if what I had been eating all along was even food...even more importantly...I was giving it to my husband and son!

Of course I get cravings for junk food, and I have allowed myself to indulge from time to time. Although, if I have too much processed “food” my body begins to shake and I have even seen spots! It's as if my body is literally (and immediately) communicating with me.

Counting calories definitely made it easier to adapt to a lifestyle of juicing and raw foods. Little by little, I am still making more changes. I know many people are very excited about

mine and my sister's weight loss and are interested in how we got started. Since starting almost a year ago I have lost over 50lbs.

My advice? Start slow. Take junk out little by little and add healthier choices little by little. Once something becomes a habit then add or take away something else. Baby steps. Remember who won that fabled race?